Blood Glucose Monitoring Kit

ABSTRACT

A blood glucose monitoring kit includes a case constructed in the form of a bi-fold wallet which comprises an upper flap and a lower flap that are connected together through a fold. Blood glucose monitoring electronics are preferably integrated directly into the upper flap of the case, the electronics including a printed circuit board (PCB), a test port mounted on the PCB and a display mounted on the PCB. Preferably, the upper flap is provided with an opening through which the test port is externally accessible. Additionally, the upper flap is provided with a window through which the display is externally visible. A pouch is secured onto the inner surface of the lower flap and is sized and shaped to retain a plurality of disposable test components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to monitors for use in measuringthe concentration of glucose in a blood sample (said monitors beingcommonly referred to as blood glucose monitors in the art).

There are many medical conditions which require frequent measurement ofthe concentration of a particular analyte in the blood of a patient. Forexample, diabetes is a disease which typically requires a patient toroutinely measure the concentration of glucose in his/her blood. Basedupon the results of each blood glucose measurement, the patient may thenrequire a particular drug treatment (e.g., an injection of insulin) inorder to regulate that the blood glucose level of the patient remainswithin a specified range. Exceeding the upper limit of said range(hyperglycemia) or dropping beneath the lower limit of said range(hypoglycemia) should be avoided with as much diligence as possible toprevent the patient from experiencing serious medical complicationswhich include, inter alia, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.

A multi-step process is commonly practiced by diabetes patients toself-monitor the level of glucose present in their blood.

In the first step of said process, a patient is required to provide ablood sample suitable for testing. Blood samples taken from a patientfor blood sugar monitoring are typically obtained by piercing the skinof the patient using a lancet device. A lancet device (also commonlyreferred to as a lancing device) typically includes a tubular body and aremovable lancet. The body is typically adapted to be held by the user,the lancet being coupled to the body and being adapted to penetratethrough the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) of the patientand into the dermis (the layer of skin directly beneath the epidermis)which is replete with capillary beds. The puncture of one or morecapillaries by the lancet generates a sample of blood which exitsthrough the incision in the patient's skin.

In some lancet devices, the lancet extends from the body at all times.In other lancet devices, the lancet is adapted to be moved, whenactuated, from a retracted position in which the lancet tip is disposedwithin the body to an extended position in which the lancet tip extendsbeyond the body. Typically, the movement of the lancet from itsretracted position to its extended position is effected with such forcethat contact of the moving lancet tip with the skin of a patient resultsin the piercing of the skin of the patient. In many such lancet deviceshaving a movable lancet, the lancet is automatically drawn back into thebody after reaching its extended position (e.g., using a spring) inorder to minimize the risk of inadvertent lancet sticks.

Typically, the tubular body of a lancet device is designed for multipleuses. To the contrary, each individual lancet is individually wrappedand designed for a single use. In use, the individual lancet is removedfrom a sealed wrapping and mounted onto the lancet body. With the lancetmounted onto the body in this manner, the lancet device can be used toacquire a blood sample. After the blood sample has been acquired, thelancet is removed from the body and is discarded. Accordingly, this typeof lancet is commonly referred to as a single-use disposable lancet inthe art.

In the second step of said process, a blood glucose monitoring system isutilized to measure the concentration of glucose in the blood sample.One type of glucose monitoring system which is well known and widelyused in the art includes a blood glucose meter (also commonly referredto a blood glucose monitor) and a plurality of individual, disposable,electrochemical test sensors which can be removably loaded into themeter. Examples of blood glucose monitoring systems of this type aremanufactured and sold by Abbott Laboratories under the PRECISION line ofblood glucose monitoring systems.

Each individual electrochemical test sensor typically includes asubstrate which is formed as a thin, rectangular strip of non-conductivematerial, such as plastic. A plurality of carbon-layer electrodes aredeposited (e.g., screen printed) on the substrate along a portion of itslength in a spaced apart relationship, one electrode serving as thereference electrode for the test sensor and another electrode serving asthe working electrode for the test sensor. All of the conductiveelectrodes terminate at one end to form a reaction area for the testsensor. In the reaction area (also commonly referred to as the reactivearea), an enzyme is deposited on the working electrode. When exposed tothe enzyme, glucose present in a blood sample undergoes a chemicalreaction which produces a measurable electrical response. The other endsof the electrical contacts are disposed to electrically contactassociated conductors located in the blood glucose monitor, as will bedescribed further below.

A blood glucose monitor is typically modular and portable inconstruction to facilitate its frequent handling by the patient. A bloodglucose monitor often comprises a multi-function test port which isadapted to receive the test sensor in such a manner so that anelectrical communication path is established therebetween. As such, anelectrical reaction created by depositing a blood sample onto thereaction area of the test sensor travels along the working electrode ofthe test sensor and into the test port of the blood glucose monitor.Within the housing of the monitor, the test port is electricallyconnected to a microprocessor which controls the basic operations of themonitor. The microprocessor, in turn, is electrically connected to amemory device which is capable of storing a multiplicity of bloodglucose test results.

In use, the blood glucose monitoring system of the type described abovecan be used in the following manner to measure the glucose level of ablood sample and, in turn, store the result of said measurement intomemory as test data. Specifically, a disposable test sensor is unwrappedfrom its packaging and is inserted into the test port of the monitor.With the test sensor properly inserted into the monitor, there isestablished a direct electrical contact between the conductors on thetest sensor and the conductors contained within the test port, therebyestablishing an electrical communication path between the test sensorand the monitor. Having properly disposed the test sensor into the testport, the monitor typically displays a “ready” indication on itsdisplay.

The user is then required to provide a blood sample using a lancetdevice. Specifically, as noted above, a disposable lancet is unwrappedfrom its protective packaging and is loaded into a corresponding lancetdevice. The lancet device is then fired into the skin of the patient toprovide a blood sample.

After lancing the skin, the patient is required to deposit one or moredrops of blood from the patient's wound site onto the reaction area ofthe test sensor. When a sufficient quantity of blood is deposited on thereaction area of the test sensor, an electrochemical reaction occursbetween glucose in the blood sample and the enzyme deposited on theworking electrode which, in turn, produces an electrical current whichdecays exponentially over time. The decaying electrical current createdthrough the chemical reaction between the enzyme and the glucosemolecules in the blood sample, in turn, travels along the electricallyconductive path established between the test sensor and the monitor andis measured by the microprocessor of the monitor. The microprocessor ofthe monitor, in turn, correlates the declining current to a standardnumerical glucose value (e.g., using a scaling factor). The numericalglucose value calculated by the monitor is then shown on the monitordisplay for the patient to observe. In addition, the data associatedwith the particular blood glucose measurement is stored into the memoryfor the monitor.

As can be appreciated, the aforementioned method for conducting a bloodglucose test necessitates the possession of a large quantity of separatecomponents. Specifically, in order to perform a single blood glucosetest using the method described above, a user is required to possess,inter alia, a reusable lancet base, a disposable lancet, a modular bloodglucose monitor and a disposable test strip.

Diabetes patients often find it difficult to hold such a large quantityof individual test components. In fact, it has been found that patientsoften lose or misplace one or more the aforementioned components. As aresult, the patient is often precluded from performing routine bloodglucose tests which, in turn, can seriously jeopardize the health of thepatient.

Accordingly, blood glucose monitoring kits are well known in the art.Blood glucose monitoring kits provide a patient with means for easilystoring all of the components which are required to perform a test.Specifically, a blood glucose monitoring kit commonly includes anenclosable case into which all of the aforementioned components can beremovably stored. As such, when a test is required, the user simplyopens the case and removes the necessary components therefrom in orderto perform an assay. Upon completion of the test, the reusablecomponents are returned to the pouch and the disposable components arediscarded. The pouch is then closed until such time that further testingis required.

Although useful in simplifying the handling of a large quantity ofindividual components, kits of the type described above suffer from acouple notable disadvantages.

As a first disadvantage, it has been found that kits of the typedescribed above are somewhat bulky in size. In particular, therelatively large size of conventional blood glucose monitors tends tosignificantly increase the overall size (and, in particular, thethickness) of the kit. As a result, the patient often finds it to beconsiderably uncomfortable to store the kit on his/her person (e.g., ina clothing pocket) between tests, which is highly undesirable.

As a second disadvantage, the fact that all of the blood glucose testingcomponents are removably stored within the case increases the number ofpreparatory steps that a patient must undertake prior to performing anassay. Specifically, the user must first open the case (e.g., byunzipping, unsnapping, etc.) in order to access the various componentscontained therein. With the case open, the user must then remove thelancet base and blood glucose monitor therefrom. Preferably, the monitoris then positioned on a flat and stable surface to facilitate its use.Next, the patient must remove a disposable lancet and a disposable teststrip from the pouch. In turn, the disposable lancet and the disposabletest strip must be unwrapped and installed into their correspondingtools. Only after completion of all these preparatory steps can the userperform an assay, which is highly undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel bloodglucose monitoring kit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel bloodglucose monitoring kit which includes a case adapted to retain all ofthe necessary components for performing a blood glucose test.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bloodglucose monitoring kit as described above which is compact.

It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide ablood glucose monitoring kit as described above which has a limitednumber of parts, which is inexpensive to manufacture and which is easyto use.

Therefore, according to one feature of the present invention, there isprovided a blood glucose monitoring kit comprising a case, said casecomprising a layer of cushioned material, and blood glucose monitoringelectronics at least partially integrated into said case.

Various other features and advantages will appear from the descriptionto follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration, various embodiments for practicing the invention. Theembodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention. The followingdetailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense,and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a blood glucose monitoring kitconstructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the kitbeing shown with its case closed;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the blood glucose monitoring kitshown in FIG. 1, the kit being shown with its case opened;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the blood glucose monitoring kitshown in FIG. 1, the kit being shown with its case opened; and

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the blood glucose monitoringelectronics shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a blood glucose monitoringkit which is constructed according to the teachings of the presentinvention and identified generally by reference numeral 11.

Blood glucose monitoring kit 11 comprises a case 13 and blood glucosemonitoring electronics 15 which are integrated directly into case 13. Aswill be described further below, the integration of blood glucosemonitoring electronics 15 directly into case 13 serves two principaladvantages: (1) to simplify the use of kit 11 in performing a bloodglucose assay and (2) to reduce the overall size (i.e., bulkiness) ofkit 11.

Case 13 is preferably constructed in the form of a soft-sided, bi-foldwallet which can be disposed between a closed position (as shown inFIG. 1) and an open position (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). As will bedescribed further in detail below, case 13 is specifically designed tocompactly and comfortably retain all of the individual components whichare required to undertake a blood glucose test.

Case 13 includes an outer layer 17 and an inner layer 19 which aresecured together (e.g., through a sew line) about their peripheries.Additional layers are preferably disposed between outer and inner layers17 and 19, as will be described further in detail below.

Outer layer 17 is preferably constructed out of a soft, durable, waterresistant, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing material (e.g., apolyester microfiber fabric, leather, rubber, nylon, etc.). Becauseouter layer 17 is manufactured out of a soft material (i.e., out of anon-rigid material such as plastic), case 13 is considerably comfortableto handle and wear within a traditional clothing pocket, which is aprincipal object of the present invention.

Inner layer 19 is preferably constructed out of a soft, durable andliquid resistant (i.e., non-porous) material such as nylon or rubber. Aswill be described further below, the various individual removablecomponents for kit 11 are preferably retained against inner layer 19.Because inner layer 19 is preferably constructed of a liquid resistantmaterial, any liquids (e.g., blood, water, sterilization solutions,etc.) which are present on said components can be easily wiped off layer17 as needed.

A layer of cushioned material 21 (e.g., cotton, foam, etc.) ispreferably disposed between outer layer 15 and inner layer 17. As can beappreciated, layer of cushioned material 21 serves to significantlysoften the feel of case 13, thereby rendering it more comfortable tohandle and wear, which is a principal object of the present invention.

It should be noted that layer of cushioned material 21 is representedherein as being in the form of a separate layer of material which isdisposed between outer layer 15 and inner layer 17. However, it is to beunderstood that if either outer layer 15 or inner layer 17 isconstructed out of an inherently cushioned material, layer cushionedmaterial 21 could be eliminated from case 13 without departing from thespirit of the present invention.

In addition, a pair of spaced apart pair stiffening members 23 aredisposed between layer of cushioned material 21 and inner layer 19. Eachstiffening member 23 is preferably in the form of a rectangular cardwhich is constructed out of a cardboard material. As can be appreciated,stiffening members 23 serve to provide case 13 with the minimum level ofrigidity that is required in order for case 13 to (1) maintain its shapeand (2) adequately protect the individual blood glucose componentsretained therein.

It should be noted that the pair of stiffening members 23 are spacedapart so as to define a narrow area of weakness therebetween, saidnarrow area of weakness extending laterally across the approximatemid-point of the length of case. This narrow area of weakness createdbetween the pair of stiffening members 23 serves as a fold 25 throughwhich case 13 may bend or flex (i.e., to create the bi-fold design forcase 13). Accordingly, fold 25 in case 13 serves to create an upper flap27 and a lower flap 29 which can be either secured together (to disposecase 13 in its closed position) or spaced apart from one another (todispose case 13 in its open position).

As will be described further below, inner layer 19 is provided withmeans for securing the individual removable test components for kit 11thereagainst. Furthermore, by folding case 13 through fold 25 (i.e.,such that upper flap 27 is drawn toward lower flap 29 as shown in FIG.1), case 13 is closed with all the individual removable componentseffectively trapped therein. In this manner, the individual removablecomponents are safely retained within case 13 until their use isrequired, which is highly desirable

Means for retaining case 13 in its closed position is preferablyprovided. Specifically, a narrow band of material 31 is preferablyaffixed (e.g., sewn) onto inner layer 19 along its outer periphery,material 31 extending orthogonally out from inner layer 19. Furthermore,a zipper 33 is secured onto the free end of band of material 31 and canbe operated using a circular paddle 35.

It should be noted that kit 11 is not limited to the use of zipper 33 toretain case 13 in its closed position. Rather, it is to be understoodthat other means for retaining case 13 in its closed position (e.g.,snaps, ties, hook and pile type fasteners, etc.) could be utilizedwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As noted briefly above, means for retaining various removable glucosetest components onto inner layer 19 of case 13 is preferably provided.Specifically, as seen most clearly in FIG. 2, a rectangular pouch 37 isaffixed (e.g., sewn) to inner layer 19 of lower flap 29 along three ofits edges. The one edge of pouch 37 which is not affixed to inner layer19 is provided with an elastic band 39 which, in the absence of anoutside force, constricts tightly against inner layer 19. Pouch 37 ispreferably constructed out of a mesh material and serves as a means forretaining small individual components (e.g., individual disposable teststrips and individual disposable lancets) against inner layer 19. Accessto the components contained within pouch 37 is provided by drawingelastic band 39 substantially away from inner layer 19.

In addition, an elastic band 41 is affixed (e.g., sewn) at both of itsends to inner layer 19 of upper flap 27 in a loop-type configuration.Elastic band 41 is preferably sized and shaped to hold the reusable baseof a conventional lancing device (with the individual disposable lancetsbeing retained within pouch 37, as noted above).

Preferably, a reinforcement strip 43 is secured (e.g., sewn) over theouter periphery of both outer layer 17 and inner layer 19. Reinforcementstrip 43 is preferably constructed out of a strong and durable material,such as rubber, and serves to reinforce and protect the integrity of theseam joining outer layer 17 to inner layer 19.

As noted briefly above, blood glucose monitoring electronics 15 arepermanently integrated directly into case 13. It should be noted thatelectronics 15 are integrated directly into case 13 without thetraditional external plastic housing which protects conventional bloodglucose monitors. As can be appreciated, integrating electronics 15permanently into case 13 without any external plastic housing serves twodistinct advantages.

First, the integration of electronics 15 into case without any externalplastic housing serves to simplify the use of kit 11 in performing ablood glucose assay. Specifically, because electronics 15 arepermanently secured into case 13, the user is not required to withdraw ablood glucose monitor from case 13 before performing each assay. Rather,kit 11 enables a user to perform a glucose calculation with case 13 ineither its open or closed positions, as will be described further below.

Second, the integration of electronics 15 into case without any externalplastic housing serves to significantly reduce the overall size (i.e.,bulkiness) of kit 11 when case 13 is closed. As a result, a user canmore comfortably wear and/or hold kit 11 on his/her person betweentests, which is a principal object of the present invention.

For purposes of simplicity, electronics 15 are described herein as beingdesigned principally for use in the measurement of the concentration ofglucose in a blood sample. However, it is to be understood thatelectronics 15 are not limited to the measurement of glucose in a bloodsample. Rather, kit 11 could integrate the electronics for alternativetypes of analyte test instruments (e.g., keytone test instruments) intocase 13 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Electronics 15 (shown in isolation in FIG. 4) preferably includes adouble sided printed circuit board (PCB) 45 on which various electricalcomponents are mounted, as will be described below. It should be notedthat printed circuit board 45 serves to electrically connect the variouselectrical components mounted thereon.

A multi-purpose test port 47 is mounted on printed circuit board 45along one of its edges. Test port 47 is a current source sensing devicewhich is capable of transmitting and receiving serial data. In thepresent embodiment, test port 47 includes a slot shaped to matinglyreceive and electrically connect with, inter alia, a test strip, acalibration strip, or the interface connector of a hardwirecommunication link.

A display 49 is mounted on printed circuit board 45 and is electricallyconnected thereto by means of a ribbon cable 51. Display 49 ispreferably in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD) which can beused to display, inter alia, test results, user messages, and recalledinformation which is stored in the memory of electronics 15.

A battery compartment 53 is mounted on printed circuit board 45 inelectrical connection thereto. Compartment 53 is sized and shaped toreceive a pair of replaceable AA-type batteries 55 which, in turn, serveas the power source for driving the operation of electronics 15. Itshould be noted that electronics 15 need not derive its power from twoAA-type batteries 55. Rather, it is to be understood that electronics 15could derive power from alternative power sources (e.g., a single coincell battery) without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Additional components which are preferably mounted onto printed circuitboard 45 include, inter alia, a microprocessor (not shown) forperforming the principal calculation and data management tasks forelectronics 15 and memory (not shown) for retaining data processed bythe microprocessor.

In addition, printed circuit board 45 includes a switch 57 forcontrolling the operative functions of electronics 15. A circular button59 is provided for regulating switch 57. Specifically, the manualdepression of button 59 serves to close switch 57 which, in turn,enables the user to, among other things, regulate the power state ofelectronics 15, recall information stored in memory, respond to messagesprovided in the display and set some of the configuration controlparameters.

Electronics 15 are disposed directly into upper flap 27 between outerlayer 17 and inner layer 19. Preferably, a rectangular window 59 isformed in upper flap 27 so as to render display 49 externally visible.Optionally, a transparent piece of plastic (not shown) may be mountedover window 59 to protect the screen for display 49. In addition, itshould be noted that electronics 15 are disposed within upper flap 27such that battery compartment 53 protrudes through inner layer 19 (asseen most clearly in FIG. 2). In this manner, batteries 55 areaccessible to the user for replacement when deemed necessary.

Similarly, a circular opening 61 is provided in upper flap 27 so as torender button 59 externally accessible. Furthermore, a square-shapedopening 63 is provided in upper flap 27 so as to render test port 47externally accessible. In this manner, the insertion of a test stripinto test port 47, the manual depression of button 59 in order tocommence an assay and the visual display of test results on display 49can all be achieved with case 13 configured in either its open or closedpositions, thereby simplifying the use of kit 11, which is highlydesirable.

It should be noted that case 13 may additionally include an elongatedprotective patch 65 which is secured (e.g., sewn) onto the surface ofouter layer 17. Patch 65 is preferably constructed out of a strong anddurable material, such as rubber, and serves to facilitate the handlingof case 13. Also, a belt loop 67 constructed out of a similar materialas patch 65 is preferably secured at one end onto patch 65 along thelower flap 29. The free end of belt loop 67 preferably releasablysecures onto patch 65 (e.g., using hook and pile type fasteners) inorder to create a closed loop, thereby enabling kit 11 to be worn on thebelt of a patient.

Although not shown herein, it should be noted that case 13 could beconstructed to include a protective cover. Specifically, upper flap 27could be provided with a pivotable strip of material which can beselectively positioned over display 49, button 59 and test port 47 whenelectronics 15 is not in use. Disposed as such, the strip of materialwould serve as both a protective cover for shielding sensitivecomponents of electronics 15 from potentially harmful environmentalelements (e.g., moisture) and a shield for disguising the relativelyconspicuous (and potentially embarrassing) nature of display 49, button59 and test port 47.

It should also be noted that kit 11 is not limited to display 49 beingexternally visible. Rather, it is to be understood that electronics 15could be integrated into upper flap 27 such that display 49 is visiblethrough a window formed in inner layer 19 rather than outer layer 17(i.e., with display 49 visible from inside case 13 rather than outsidecase 13). Similarly, button 59 and test port 47 could be alternativelyconfigured for access through inner layer 19 of upper flap 27. In thismanner, with case 13 disposed in its closed position, display 49, button59 and test port 47 would all be hidden from view and protected frompotentially harmful environmental elements.

In use, kit 11 can be used in the following manner to monitor bloodglucose levels. Specifically, kit 11 is preferably stored with case 13configured in its closed position. As noted above, the compact natureand soft cushioned feel of case 13 renders kit 11 very easy to storeand/or wear. When a blood glucose test is required, case 13 is opened byunzipping zipper 33 and pivoting upper flap 27 away from lower flap 29.

With case 13 opened, the user can withdraw the reusable lancing devicebase (not shown) from elastic band 41 as well as a disposable lancet(not shown) from pouch 37. The disposable lancet is then unwrapped andinstalled into the lancing device base, thereby rendering the lancingdevice ready for a subsequent skin prick.

Similarly, a disposable test strip (not shown) is removed from pouch 37and unwrapped from any protective packaging. The unwrapped test strip isthen inserted into the slot of test port 47 which, in turn,automatically activates (i.e., turns “on”) the glucose monitor.Furthermore, upon detecting the presence of the test strip within port47, the activated monitor generates a “ready” indication on display 49.

Having completed the aforementioned preparatory steps, the user thenuses the lancet device to acquire a blood sample. In turn, blood exitingfrom the patient's wound site is deposited onto the reactive area of thetest strip. The blood sample then reacts with enzymes in the reactivearea which, in turn, produces an electrical response in the form of adecaying electrical current. The decaying current is then converted byelectronics 15 into a digital signal that is processed by themicroprocessor to determine the analyte test value that corresponds tothe signal. The microprocessor then stores the analyte test data inmemory and simultaneously registers the analyte test value on display 49for the patient to read.

Upon completion of the test, the used lancet and test strip are disposedand the lancet device base is returned to its stored position withinelastic band 41. The user can then zip case 13 back to its closedposition for storage until such time that future glucose testing isdesired.

The embodiment shown in the present invention is intended to be merelyexemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerousvariations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention. All such variations and modifications areintended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined inthe appended claims.

1. A blood glucose monitoring kit comprising: (a) a case, said casecomprising a layer of cushioned material, and (b) blood glucosemonitoring electronics at least partially integrated into said case. 2.The blood glucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said casecomprises: (a) an outer layer, and (b) an inner layer.
 3. The bloodglucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said layer ofcushioned material is disposed between the outer layer and the innerlayer.
 4. The blood glucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 3 whereinsaid blood glucose monitoring electronics are at least partiallydisposed between the outer and inner layers of said case.
 5. The bloodglucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of the innerand outer layers is constructed out of a non-plastic material.
 6. Theblood glucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 5 wherein the inner andouter layers are secured together about their peripheries.
 7. The bloodglucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the outer layer isconstructed out of a soft fabric material.
 8. The blood glucosemonitoring kit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said outer layer isconstructed out of a water resistant material.
 9. The blood glucosemonitoring kit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said case further comprisesa pair of stiffening members which are disposed between the inner andouter layers.
 10. The blood glucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 9wherein said pair of stiffening members are spaced apart so as to definea fold in said case about which said case can bend.
 11. The bloodglucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said case is in theform of a bi-fold wallet which includes an upper flap and an lower flapthat are connected together through a fold.
 12. The blood glucosemonitoring kit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said case is capable ofbeing disposed between an open position and a closed position.
 13. Theblood glucose monitoring kit as claimed in 12 wherein said case includesmeans for securing said case in its closed position.
 14. The bloodglucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blood glucosemonitoring electronics comprise: (a) a printed circuit board, (b) a testport mounted on said printed circuit board, and (c) a display mounted onsaid printed circuit board.
 15. The blood glucose monitoring kit asclaimed in claim 14 wherein a window is formed in said case, the displayfor said blood glucose monitoring electronics being externally visiblethrough said window.
 16. The blood glucose monitoring kit as claimed inclaim 15 wherein a first opening is provided in said case, the test portfor said blood glucose monitoring electronics being externallyaccessible through said first opening.
 17. The blood glucose monitoringkit as claimed in claim 16 wherein said blood glucose monitoringelectronics additionally include a switch formed on said printed circuitboard.
 18. The blood glucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 17wherein regulation of said switch is effected using a button.
 19. Theblood glucose monitoring kit as claimed in claim 18 wherein a secondopening is provided in said case, the button being externally accessiblethrough said second opening.
 20. The blood glucose monitoring kit asclaimed in claim 19 further comprising a pouch secured onto the innerlayer.
 21. A blood glucose monitor, comprising: (a) a soft case, and (b)blood glucose monitoring electronics at least partially integrated intosaid soft case.
 22. The blood glucose monitor as claimed in claim 21wherein said soft case comprises a layer of cushioned material.
 23. Theblood glucose monitor as claimed in claim 22 wherein said soft casecomprises: (a) an outer layer, and (b) an inner layer.
 24. The bloodglucose monitor as claimed in claim 23 wherein said layer of cushionedmaterial is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer.